NEIGHBOURS are celebrating the news that a metal fence put up in their street is being taken down – finally.

Residents in Ivanhoe Street in Farnworth campaigned to have the 2.4m fence taken down by Network Rail – but three weeks on it still remained in place. Angry residents approached workmen who told them the fence would be staying.

However, following a meeting with Network Rail on Monday, locals have been told the fence would definitely be coming down.

Maria Johnson started a petition to have the fence removed saying the sight of it made her "feel sick." Miss Johnson said: "After we were told that they wouldn't be removing it I was back on to Network Rail. All the residents told Network Rail how unhappy we were so a meeting was arranged with a representative from the company and I invited a councillor to come.

"It took a while but I think they listened to us and when they came down here themselves they could see how close it was to our homes.”

Work has been ongoing on the Manchester to Preston line in front of Miss Johnson's property for 18 months.

The works are taking place to electrify the railway to help to speed up services and it is thought the fence was put there for safety reasons.The metal fence was being removed yesterday, Wednesday.

Miss Johnson added: "They weren't budging but we explained that it would knock £10k off the value of our properties.

"We were discussing options of what can be put there now instead of the wall and the fence and what we would like to see is timber and bollards.

"We are obviously all delighted that the fence is being removed but I'm not celebrating just yet, I want to wait until I see what they replace it with."

Network Rail were contacted for a comment but they did not get back before deadline.